The wait for word on Alex was long and frustrating. They watched as nameless faces of doctors and nurses passed the waiting room. When Alex’s uncle and aunt arrived, they were introduced to Stormy and the situation explained to them. Then they joined the wait too. The police even provided a distraction when they arrived to investigate.
For Stormy, the time seemed to drag. She couldn’t stand waiting and this was no different. She paced. She cried. She stared out the window. She even argued with her brother when he tried to calm her. Denise finally suggested that Stormy call Howie so he could let the others know what was going on.
As Stormy hung up, Denise asked, “What did he say?”
“He promised to be here as soon as he could and he’d let the others know. Nick is in LA with him so they’ll probably come together.”
“You haven’t met Kevin and Brian yet, have you?”
For the first time since this all happened, Stormy smiled as she remembered AJ’s stories about all the guys. “No, I haven’t but I feel like I know them because of Alex. He’s told me so much about them.”
The door swung open and a very tired looking doctor entered. He surveyed the group but his expression was hard to read.
Stormy’s heart was in her throat fearing the worst.
“Are you waiting for word on Alex McLean?” asked the doctor.
“How is he?” squeaked Stormy.
“He’s in recovery right now and then we’ll move him to ICU. The next twenty-four hours are critical. The bullet lodged near his heart and he lost a great deal of blood.”
“Can we see him?” asked Denise.
“One at a time for a couple minutes.”
Denise looked at Stormy who said, “You and his uncle should go first.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
Denise hugged her. “He’s going to be okay, Stormy. He’s tough and he’s a fighter with a lot to fight for.”
“If it weren’t for me, he wouldn’t be fighting for his life though.”
Denise set her back. “Now you listen to me. Do NOT even begin to think that or blame yourself. Alex loves you a great deal and would do anything to protect you.”
“He shouldn’t have to die for me. I don’t want that.”
“You may not want it but it it’s true. His love for you is going to get him through this and you two will be okay,” said Denise as she wiped the tears from Stormy’s cheeks. “Hang tight just a little longer, okay?”
Alex’s grandfather, uncle, and mom each went in to visit with him but only for a few minutes and then it was Stormy’s turn. She hesitated at the door but looking down at her ring, she found the courage to go ahead.
Entering the recovery room, she moved slowly to the bed where she took his hand in hers. His eyes were closed so she just stood watching him. He was so pale and fragile with tubes running everywhere. As she stood there, his eyes began to flutter open.
“Hey,” she whispered when his eyes fixed on her.
Alex didn’t speak but he gave her hand a weak squeeze.
“You nut. Why did you go and do a stupid thing like trying to stop a bullet? You could have gotten yourself seriously hurt.”
Stormy was trying to put up a brave front for him, like Ricky had taught her but it wasn’t working. Her tears fell despite her efforts to control them and a trembling hand reached up to wipe them for her.
“I didn’t want to cry,” she whispered as she held his other hand close to her cheek.
Pulling one hand free, Alex removed the oxygen mask away and whispered, “It’s okay, baby.”
His voice was almost inaudible so she had to lean closer to hear him.
“I….love you…don’t ever…forget that. Find…someone….to love you…the way…you…deserve.”
“You listen to me, Alexander James, you are NOT going to give up on me now,” she ordered as she realized what he was saying. Her tears continued to stream down falling onto his face and mixing with his tears. “Three weeks is NOT enough time. We have so much more to do. You have to teach me more about making love; we’ve got a wedding to plan and babies to make.”
Clutching her hand to his chest, AJ struggled to say, “Too ….tired …right …now,” and he closed his eyes.
Replacing the oxygen mask, Stormy caressed his cheek. “Rest, baby, so you can get well. I’m not going anywhere.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
